adventure road IV

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We celebrate our arrival at the Guatemalan Border

Here's another story from The Life Journals  of William Thacker.  Join us here next time for an unusual tale of excitement and adventure as Will  takes us on a journey through his life with animals. If you sign up as a subscriber, the stories will be sent to you, automatically, when they are published.

                                                                     Reviews: 

"I just read and re-read INTO THE ORINCO BASIN, Part 7 and it’s another great trip into the wild — and into Will’s head, which is wild and wooly in its own way.  Good writing is all about details and, like the other sections, Part 7 is packed with observations along the way.  (A favorite small detail about a fearsome fish:  “The scales were used as nail files.”)   Will Thacker has a good eye and then some. More!"      Dan Vining, Screenwriter and Novelist, author of "The Quick, The Next, Among the Living" and "NightSun". 

“Adventures Of An Exotic Animal Cowboy is one of the most exciting books I’ve ever read. William Thacker takes you on a journey like none other, deep into the Amazon and the discovery of a new world. However, the book is more than a thrilling description of the wild flora and fauna of the Amazon region. There’s love, heartbreak and more love. Thacker is world-class romantic as well as a world-renowned herpetologist, and the love story within the book is worth a novel in itself. If you would like an adventure book with a big heart, Adventures Of An Exotic Animal Cowboy is for you.”    Gay Hendricks, Ph.D. Author of "The Big Leap".

"You are an amazing story teller.  Keep them coming.  Let us all live up to our full potentiol."  Eugene Bessette - Ophiological Servies, Archer, Florida

"Terrific writing!"  Dan F. Geary

"Crocodile Dundee has nothing on you."   Jodie Harper 

Annulated caecaelian. Collected in the Pacific Lowlands of Guatemala

Reviews:                 

 "I have been following your blog and want you to know how brilliant your writing has been. The stories you've written and the adventures you have been on have been so perfectly described, both in the lands and the animals you've encountered, but also, the care you have taken in the way you have written our love story makes my heart swell.   Can't wait to see which of our adventures you’ll share next."   JMcV   

"Absolutely loved Otters on a Plane. The EAC just keeps coming up with the best stories. Man you always had a flair for writing. I hope you have quite a few more episodes, because I can’t get enough."  Jack Knight  

"I just read your good story.  You are quite the writer. When I read these episodes, I am amazed that you are still alive and well.  You sure did put your life on the line at times.  I am glad you knew what you were doing."

Jeanie Bost

"Will’s latest chapter of INTO THE ORINOCO BASIN (Part 6), The Head of the Spear, was such a perfect mixture of action adventure, romance, humor, folklore and science, all set in the backdrop of a tropical jungle. His story weaves all these elements together with such delicious descriptions that appeal to all the senses. His respect and care for species conservation through education is at the heart of his narrative and motivation for his travels. My favorite moments were those in the treehouse with Joann, although I know his adventures will likely take him elsewhere. I look forward to his stories so much every week."     E Fraser 

"Will is the Jimmy Buffett of Herpetology, just right for the Snakeheads." Eric Rogers

"A vivid recounting of your experiences with wildlife.  You should write a book about all your adventures with animals."  Dr. Bill Robertson, Vice President Emeritus, Jacksonville University

"A read that will take you on an adventure to the edge of your imagination and back" Aspen Grove

Hippie School Bus - They wore    flowers in their hair   

Reviews:                  

"Really liked this one, passed it on to other herpetologists as well.  All very impressed!"  Fred Antonio, Director emeritus, Orianne Indigo Conservation Center  

"Absolutely couldn’t stop reading!
Enthralling and beautifully written.
Keep ‘em coming!" Tudy Hanke

"Will Thacker is a raconteur who has lived a colorful life such as few others have. His generation embodied the last of a breed of adventurers who, on a whim, tackled bold journeys, collecting expeditions and did things that even then inspired awe. Unfettered by restrictions yet to come, he rambled the globe in search of specimens, cobbling together groups of young men to strike into the unknown. Changing directions when things went wrong was all in a day’s work—and he did it all with flair. He journaled his exploits for posterity: his dangerous encounters, amazing creatures he saw and captured, and the exotic places he visited. Not to mention the people he met, friendly and unfriendly. He has a gift for narrating his stories with humor, enthusiasm, and brevity. His tales come across as thrilling, often suspenseful, with a dash of romance. Will is a consummate storyteller, drawing from a lifetime of experiences. The rest of us can enjoy his adventures vicariously through his swashbuckling Chronicles of an Exotic Animal Cowboy." Dennis Cathcart, author of Koulèv: Adventures of an American Snake Hunter.

 "I enjoy your stories and always look forward to the next one.  In friendship,"   Dick Bartlett.  Author of "In Search Of

Reptiles and Amphibians".

"A heart wrenching story of the Florida wild animal trade and a person who came to the rescue, the best he could. I bet he smiled. You are a good person Will."  Eugene Brandner

Workers help us secure and repair trailer

Reviews:

 "Brilliant! I love the softness of the interaction between you and the woman in the story. The way you told it was so sweet and respectful, and tender and beautiful and loving and poetic . . . Such a brilliant choice of so few but meaningful and descriptive words. And the connection between the tigers and the human story with just enough scientific descriptions to make the reader feel informed without getting too overwhelming. And, of course the thrill of the adventure! In my opinion, the stories keep getting better. Can't wait for the next one."    Judi Cain 

"Your stories are rich and powerful... you are an excellent writer  and should do a book. As a literature professor, I can spot a talented author." Dr. Nancy Zambito 

"I just read THE AFRICA/INDIAN EXPEDITON (PART 15) RETURN TO NAKURU and as we've all become accustomed to it was just great.  Will's description makes all of us feel as though we were along for the ride and of course the real question was finally answered....where were things going to go between Will and Joann... which of course we all were wondering.  Can't wait for the next adventure to begin.  Keep them coming, Cowboy... And a giant thank you for sharing your adventures."

Russ Snyder - Author

"I have been hearing stories from this Cowboy for as long as I can remember.  They are always thrilling, descriptive and often educational.  It’s amazing that one person can take you somewhere with him, because that’s how it feels, and let you experience a new culture, an animal you wouldn’t normally think about, a situation that’s often scary, sometimes humorous, and get you out alive!  Keep writing, snake, and I’ll keep reading."  Kono

Life-long friend Lenny Baird on the Road in Mexico

Reviews:

"Will Thacker, what an adventure. It's amazing how some took their dreams and interests and followed them and are able to turn them into text that keep you interested. Your ability to verbally describe your surrounding and the people around you are great." 

Anonymous

"Will Thacker's stories are a never-ending sequence of unbelievable events, picturesque locations and outrageous characters.  Most of us will never have experiences like these, but we can travel with him because of his imagination and his incredible way with words.  We can enjoy descriptions of the cultures, the clothing, music, the wildlife, even the food.  Some of them are familiar, some are completely foreign, but we can ride along and witness it all.  Keep it up, snake-man.  We can't wait for the next installments of the Exotic Animal Cowboy."  Steve Duncan

"Will Thacker has roamed the planet for much of his life doing things most of us would never dream of. Eschewing comfort, security and sometimes good sense. Thacker has avidly plunged into risky territory and barely escaped with his wits untrammeled and his head unshrunken. You might want to go along with him on these colorful adventures because you're damn sure not visiting many of these sketchy vacationlands yourself.

You already have me curious about what happens next. This episode included every element - history, indigenous culture, language, science, suspense, adventure, action and most important....Romance! Congrats!"

Bill Killeen, Author of The Flying Pie, a weekly blog at: https://billkilleen.blogspot.com 

Bob Pool with white-nosed coati mundi

Reviews:

"I could see it now.  Somewhere over the sky in Nairobi, it's a bird, it's a plane! No, it's a crazy cowboy parachuting with a pair of otters in one hand, and a King Cobra in the other." John Watson  

"I follow your stories faithfully and I like your work.  If the world had more people like you in it, it would be a better place."  Kenneth Tumusiine, famed African conservationist, wildlife photographer and photo safari guide.  Kampala, Uganda

"Your stories are so well written and engaging! Im not sure how I got the privilege of having you show up on my time line, but I'm very happy you did. Excellent story telling." Paula Steffens  

 "I'm just finished reading about cobras and a giant gaur that I'd never heard of. I have to ask: When's the movie coming out and who would you pick to play YOU? They're definitely film-worthy stories."   Michael Goettee

"My old friend Will is the historian for Planet Snaketune." Craig Trumbower, author of "More Than Snake Hunting" and "Even More Than Snake Hunting".

 "When I'm reading your stories it's like looking over your shoulder.  Almost like reading Peter Capstick's African safari tales.  Damned good writer!"  Charles Black

"Will Thacker You are a Rudyard Kipling"      Marcos Ponce

 "Reading your writing takes me back 100 years.  It reads like a 1940's movie!  Grand scale adventure with the sweetest hint of romance.  I look forward to every episode. Bandits, romance and wild animals. What else could you ask for. Our own real life version of Indiana Jones."     Jim Chrisner